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BIBLE QUIZZ

Answered by A. T. DAVIDSON, of 2PK. (Pastor, Parkes Assembly, N.S.W.)

QUESTION.—What evidence is there that there is a God? Has not science discovered the explanation of the universe in its natural laws?

ANSWER.—Science has, no doubt, discovered a lot about the natural laws, but who originated the natural laws? Who made those laws and keeps them operating? Who designed this wonderful system of law and nature? You remind me of the fable of the second hand of the watch that thought it had discovered all the secrets of its origin and maker because it found that it was being actuated by the hair-spring. Suppose you were to go into a school at lunch time— no one is about, and you see lying on a desk an exercise book. In it there is a well drawn square, then a perfect circle, and then groups of figures. Would you say that came by chance? Of course not—for you would see design, intelligent design, in that drawing. So when we look around about in nature—the earth, the sky—why, we see a revelation of the personality and intelligence and wisdom of God.

QUESTION.—Do you really think that a God of love would shut some of us out of heaven?

ANSWER.—God doesn't shut us out. Sin does that. Are you living in God's presence now? There's no reason why you shouldn't be. You are not, eh? Why? You don't want God—and it is for the same reason many will be shut out for eternity. Please do not question God's love though. He cannot condone sin. He is bound by His own laws of righteousness. But He does love us, and so desires us to live eternally with Him that to make possible a way back to Himself He provided His great Plan of Salvation at the cost of the Saviour's life. "When I survey the wondrous Cross, On which the Prince of Glory died." God so loved

the world that He gave ... He SO loved. That little word SO is spelt with only two letters—but it is vast enough to girdle a sin-stricken world and bind it back to God. Friend, if you miss God in Eternity, it will be because you have missed Him here.

QUESTION.—Can you explain why God allows pain? I think it's the worst thing in the world.

ANSWER.—This is a big question —one I cannot attempt to answer in the time at my disposal—but, you say it is the worst thing in the world. I think not. To my mind there are far worse things than outward suffering and misery such as ill-health or even bereavement, and the loss of those we love. Is not a heart full of selfishness a worse thing than a body full of pain? And may not the patience and power of endurance and self-forgetfulness obtained through trial and sorrow be worth the price asked for it? Can you imagine a higher character than Christ's, and was Ho not made perfect through suffering? Suffering, like all else in life, falls into its right place and finds its reason and meaning to those who believe in a Father who deals with His children in love. To those who refuse that belief it must be a dreary and meaningless business— this life.

The problem of getting great things from God is being able to hold on for the last half-hour.

The four Gospels, though flowing from one Paradise, go forth to water the earth with four currents of different volume and direction. Tie four Gospels are also like four varied pictures of our Lord, painted by for loving hands, each picture disclosing fresh beauties.